chicken poop

[hitnspit]

can i get some of you all to tell me the best way to use it in the garden. do some plants like it better then others. I was told to save it for the garden ut not really sure how to use it. I clean my coop like a cat box so i get just the poop and not all the shavings. I hope im not doing this for nothing.....lol.....jim s

 

[Royd]

I only have 8 chickens, so the amount of manure isn't much...I have access to huge amounts of horse manure, so, that is my main fertilizer.

I put my chicken manure into 30 gal. trashcans, and make a tea out of it,and let it sit and mellow, for a couple of months. I can dilute it, as much as I choose, and use it for a side dressing, on established plants.

 

[madornato]

I don't think you can use fresh chicken droppings on your plants--too acidic. I think it needs to sit for at least a couple of months. You can compost it with some lime to knock down the acidity. We have recently tilled our chicken poop into our garden spot. We have not put any fresh chicken poop in the garden area past January. We're going to plow in some lime pellets before we plant our seeds. We're hoping for a great garden this year. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Hope this helps, but there are many more experienced BYCers out there than me. Good luck!

 

[hitnspit]

I only have 6 hens. But i do have old poooo. i started a new bucket in Feb. I did read that fresh is to stong. I also have them working for me in the run. I put a good amount of leaves from the fall that i have chopped up pretty good. So the mixture of that and pooo from the run will go in the garden also. I guess its a big learn as you go thing......jim s

 

[VerlonCox]

I like to mix it with my leaf moulds in the fall and ad a little water to the bag. It takes a while for it to break down but it is great compost and roses love the stuff. I will put most of the extra into my compost pile. I haven't ever added it while it was fresh but I think that I have read somewhere that it is considered a "hot" manure and will hurt your plants.

 

[cindy leigh]

chicken manure is hot- high nitrogen, and should not be used "fresh" or it will damage or kill plants. I compost mine with shredded leaves and grass clippings. Don't need a fancy composter- just put in piles about 3 feet high. Turn every day and remound. Within a week or two (depending on weather) I've got beautiful compost that I side-dress my veggies with. I've also used the compost in muck buckets with potato plants. Worked beautifully.
By the way- rabbit manure is absolutely the best thing we've ever used in our gardens. And it can be used "fresh", no aging needed. Always grew the biggest flowers and veggies.